News

Press Release: Galway Senior Football Management

CUMANN LÚTHCHLEAS GAEL

Coiste Chontae na Gaillimhe

Príomh Oifig Stáid an Phiarsaigh, Bóthar na Trá, Gaillimh

PRESSRELEASE

3rd September 2019

Subject: Galway Senior Football Management

Kevin Walsh (Galway Senior Football Manager), has confirmed to the Chairman of the Galway County Board, Pat Kearney and the Chairman of the Galway Football Committee , Kevin Clancy, that he is stepping down as the Galway Senior Football Manager, after 5 years.

Galway GAA wish to acknowledge Kevin’s tremendous dedication and contribution to Galway Football, and his achievements over the past 5 years. Galway, under Kevin’s management, achieved promotion to Division 1 and consolidated our position there. Galway GAA would like to acknowledge the professional structures Kevin put in place and Galway GAA were happy to support Kevin achieve these goals, and provide the necessary resources, and Galway GAA will continue to do this.

Galway GAA have been engaged in the review process with Kevin, over the past week, and following consideration, and Kevin has decided not to continue as Galway Senior Football Manager.

STATEMENT FROM KEVIN WALSH

"On behalf of the Galway Senior Management Team, I have informed the Galway County Board that after 5 years in charge of the Galway Senior Football Team we will not be seeking ratification for a 6th year. It was both an honour and a privilege to manage our county to 2 Connacht titles, promotion to Division 1 and maintaining that status.

When we took over in 2015, we sought to introduce structures to achieve the 2 core objectives of making Galway football more competitive and leaving Galway football in a better position. Over 25 players have made their senior championship debuts for Galway since then and the commitment of the players over the years has been one of the key factors in achieving those objectives. We would like to thank them for their dedication and friendship.

We wish to acknowledge the substantial contribution of the backroom team in putting in place the systems and processes that have been the foundation of what was built over the past few years.

In many ways, the forgotten heroes of the modern game are our families. Without their understanding, support and commitment none of this would be possible.

We would like to thank our sponsors and, in particular, Pat and Una McDonagh of Supermac’s, whose contribution to Galway GAA in general is the envy of counties throughout the country. The media is playing an increasing role in the game and we would like to thank the local media in Galway who were supportive of our efforts with a special word of thanks to Galway Bay FM’s, Kevin O Dwyer.

We would like to thank the Galway County Board for their support and giving us the opportunity to manage our county.

Finally, we would like to thank the genuine Galway football supporters. Your passion for the maroon and white never went unnoticed.

I emphatically believe that there are great things to come for Galway football. Having had the opportunity to work with professionals at the top of their field over the last number of years, I would like to see the recommendations in our reports to the County Board which included facilities and equipment, operations, alignment and development of underage teams through to senior level, finance, competition structures, player development and welfare, medical screening and deep level coaching implemented in the interests of Galway football going forward.

I am honoured to have been given my chance to leave Galway football in a better place and I wish the players and new management team every success in the future."